Old Sam Wang Watches the Back Gate

After the birthday banquet ended, sure enough, Colin Gu had someone bring her the five-hundred-year-old snow ginseng.

Snow ginseng is an extremely rare spiritual herb.

A snow ginseng that has grown for five hundred years is the ultimate tonic.

If it's prepared just right and given to her mom, it'll be simply perfect—a real treat!

Chloe Zhu didn't stand on ceremony and accepted it directly.

After all, her mother is the Empress's legitimate wife, and she's her legitimate daughter.

This was a gift from the son-in-law, so why shouldn't she accept it on her mother's behalf?

After accepting it, she immediately felt a burning gaze fixed on her.

It was Cindy Zhu.

Her eyes were locked on the snow ginseng, full of hatred, as if she wanted nothing more than to rush over and destroy it...

Chloe Zhu's heart skipped a beat. She forced down her dislike for Colin Gu and flashed him a shy, playful smile before curtsying. "Thank you for Your Majesty's generous gift!"

Colin Gu was visibly affected by her smile. He graciously came over and helped her up himself, saying, "Chloe, no need for such formalities."

"Your Majesty, you just said that if anyone bullies me, I should come to you and you'll protect me. Is that true?" Chloe asked sweetly.

"Of course," Colin Gu gazed at her delicate, dew-like beauty, his eyes deepening. "You will become my Imperial Consort, so naturally I will protect you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Chloe curtsied again, then quietly moved behind Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu, holding the snow ginseng box.

Grace Wan overheard their conversation and quickly exchanged glances with Cindy Zhu, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

It seemed the Emperor's affection for Chloe was growing stronger.

That was a good thing.

Without his favor, how could she bear him a prince and send him away as a hostage?

Of course, Cindy Zhu didn't see it that way.

Watching Chloe Zhu and Colin Gu interact, Cindy Zhu nearly broke her nails from clenching her fists...

...

On the way back, Dowager Lady Evelyn Zhu and Grace Wan were both silent, clearly not very pleased.

For spiritual cultivators, cultivation resources are absolutely vital.

If Kevin Zhuo became the Imperial Son-in-law, his future would naturally be filled with privileges and cultivation resources rivaling those of the royal family.

They had originally thought the Empress Dowager would grant Kevin Zhuo a marriage today.

But in the end, she didn't.

None of them understood what had happened.

After returning, Grace Wan thought it over and suspected it might have something to do with Sierra's pregnancy.

Could the Empress Dowager be suspicious of something?

That little minx Sierra really is infuriating!

Of all times to faint, she just had to do it in the palace!

The more Grace Wan thought about it, the angrier she got. She called for Steward Jeff Jia and asked, "I remember there used to be an Old Sam Wang who watched the back gate. Is he still around?"

"Yes," Steward Jeff Jia replied. "He's still working at the back gate!"

"Take Sierra out and marry her off to him!" Grace Wan ordered.

"Sierra? Which Sierra?" Steward Jeff Jia was a bit incredulous.

"How many Sierras do you think there are? The one always with Cindy!"

"But isn't Miss Sierra only in her teens? Old Sam Wang is a sixty-something old bachelor with a limp..."

"Just do as I say!" Grace Wan snapped. "Once Sierra is out of the house, send them away from Danyang to the border town. Never let them come back!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Steward Jeff Jia, always Grace Wan's capable right-hand, immediately went to carry out her orders.

...

Chloe guessed that since Grace Wan didn't get the marriage grant from the Empress Dowager, she'd probably take out her anger on Sierra.

So, as soon as she returned home, she had Aunt Crystal summon Sierra in the Lady's name for questioning.

After all, since the Lady of the house called for her, no one dared to get in the way.